Combine questions draw scrutiny

After eyebrows were raised at the NFL Scouting Combine about some of the questions the teams asked players, the league appears open to examining whether any laws were violated in regard to the interviews.

At least one player, Colorado tight end Nick Kasa, indicated that he was asked about sexual orientation by NFL teams at the combine in Indianapolis last weekend. That promoted the NFL Players' Association to request an investigation.

"I know that the NFL agrees that these types of questions violate the law, our CBA and player rights," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith told USA Today on Wednesday. "I hope that they will seek out information as to what teams have engaged in this type of discrimination and we should then discuss appropriate discipline."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league will address the reports.

"Like all employers, our teams are expected to follow applicable federal, state and local employment laws," he said. "It is league policy to neither consider nor inquire about sexual orientation in the hiring process. In addition, there are specific protections in our collective bargaining agreement with the players that prohibit discrimination against any player, including on the basis of sexual orientation.

"We will look into the report on the questioning of Nick Kasa at the scouting combine. Any team or employee that inquires about impermissible subjects or makes an employment decision based on such factors is subject to league discipline."

Personal interviews that last about 10 minutes are videotaped at the combine and distributed to teams. Questions are subject to review by the the NFL's compliance department.

Kasa implied that an interviewer might have crossed the line with him.

"They ask you like, 'Do you have a girlfriend? Are you married? Do you like girls?'" Kasa told ESPN Radio in Denver. "Those kinds of things, and you know it was just kind of weird. But they would ask you with a straight face, and it's a pretty weird experience altogether."